The Association of Scraps and Wastes Pickers of Lagos (ASWOL) has expressed its commitment to the zero-waste initiative and its management.

The association’s president, Friday Oku, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

Mr Oku said the association was intensifying efforts to support zero waste in the state through the organisation and structured engagement of its members.

He noted that challenges, including the ban on scavenging and cart pushing, had affected operations, but members remained resolute.

According to him, integration of waste pickers into the formal waste management value chain is key to achieving sustainable results.

Mr Oku urged households to segregate waste at source to enable the recovery of recyclable materials, while residual waste is handled by PSP operators.

He said effective segregation would reduce the volume of waste disposed of at dumpsites and strengthen recycling across the state.

Mr Oku described the ongoing engagements with the Lagos Waste Management Authority as productive.

He said data collection on waste pickers had commenced in collaboration with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority across clusters and local government areas.

The president added that more than 100 members had benefited from a train-the-trainer workshop on zero waste management and occupational health and safety.

He added that personal protective equipment had been distributed to improve safety standards among members.

Mr Oku explained that the association’s roadmap aims to transition waste pickers from an unrecognised status to formal integration within the waste management system.

He said formalisation would enhance livelihoods and create green jobs for youths and women, while promoting climate action and sustainable circular-economy practices.

Mr Oku expressed optimism that a pilot scheme would begin after the state government completes the necessary documentation.

(NAN)